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Peachtree City gets of new fire truck

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department’s brand-new fire truck pulled into the headquarters station parking lot for the first time March 9 as dozens seethed with anticipation.

As the quint fire truck, dubbed “Quint 83,” came to a full stop, several firefighters spilled out into the parking lot to take a peek at the latest addition to the fleet.

The truck has to be fully inspected. But once it’s given the approval stamp, the truck, which came with a price tag of $454,000, will make its way to its permanent home at Station 83 or the Weber Station on Peachtree Parkway in Braelinn Village, officials said.

The truck, purchased from the Lyons, S.D.-based Central States, a division of Rosenbauer America, has all the latest bells and whistles, Peachtree City fire officials tout. The truck will replace a 16-year-old pumper, which will be placed in reserve status.

“The truck is powered by a 450-horsepower diesel engine and is 38 1/2 feet long and over 8 feet wide,” PCFD Assistant Fire Chief Ed Eiswerth said. “It is capable of pumping 1,500 gallons of water per minute and carries a 65-foot aerial ladder. The aerial ladder is equipped with its own fire nozzle and water pipe.”

The ladder also can be used for rescue and to allow firefighters safe access to roofs.

The truck reportedly saved taxpayers money since it serves two key functions, officials indicated.

“It was recommended during the city’s last insurance assessment that the department put into service an additional ladder truck,” Eiswerth said. “Instead, the department decided to combine two trucks into one, so to speak.”

The process of procuring the truck took years of planning and hours of staff research. But fire officials will agree the end result was well worth the effort.

The truck carries 500 gallons of water and 40 gallons of foam for use in fighting flammable liquid fires such as gasoline. The truck also carries aluminum extension ladders ranging from 10 to 35 feet.

Quint 83 also will carry EMS and extrication equipment. This will help firefighters free victims injured in traffic crashes when necessary. The truck also will carry a thermal imager, a camera that is used to find victims in thick, smoke, and much more.

Now that the fire truck has arrived, Eiswerth said firefighters are eager to test out Quint 83.

Fire department training officers will begin training career and volunteer firefighters on the new truck this month, Eiswerth said.

Quint 83 is expected to be placed into service April 1.